– Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 –
Good morning. In this week’s public safety newsletter, we’re looking at changes in how the Chatham district attorney’s office prosecutes sexual assault cases, a disaster-preparedness study for Liberty County firefighters, and public safety bills in the halls of the Georgia legislature.
Questions, comments or story ideas? I want to hear from you: jake.shore@thecurrentga.org.
How Chatham prosecutes sexual assault
The way sexual assault cases are handled in Chatham County has changed drastically under the tenure of Chatham District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones.
For the first time in about two decades, the agency does not have a Special Victims Unit, a mainstay of many American prosecutorial offices. The prosecutors there receive specialized training and only prosecute sexual assault, child abuse, rape and other crimes.
The lack of an SVU and other dropped services for crime victims has former prosecutors, sex abuse survivors, and victim advocates worried about the effect on criminal prosecutions, according to an investigation by The Current.
Cook Jones said her office has adapted to the staff shortages that created this problem and is creating a necessary cultural shift within the office. Detractors blame her management.
Read our story for a deep dive on how sex crimes are prosecuted in Chatham and what’s changed.
Disaster ready? Study says yes
A study looking at firefighter preparedness in Liberty County found that survey respondents from Liberty County Fire Services were more prepared for a disaster situation than those at the Hinesville Fire Department.
The limited study published in December 2023 by an Arkansas Tech University master’s student looked at 67 survey responses from the Liberty County-area firefighters. She asked first responders to rate statements like “I am familiar with accepted triage principles used in disaster situations,” and “I know who to contact (chain of command) in disaster situations in my community.”
The surveys were conducted in March 2023 over the course of six days. Liberty County firefighters had a statistically higher mean score than Hinesville firefighters. However, the analysis was limited because it did not measure disaster response and recovery, which are other key methods of the disaster analysis method.
Questions have been raised about fire safety in Liberty County between adequate training for Liberty County Fire Services and functional infrastructure for Hinesville Fire.
Two statehouse updates
With the 2024 legislative session in full swing at the Georgia capitol, there are (at least) two bills we’re watching for public safety impacts.
RICO: Republican senators proposed an expansion of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to include misdemeanors like simple assault, loitering, handing out fliers, and disorderly conduct.
The law allows prosecutors to charge multiple defendants who are engaged in a criminal enterprise, demonstrated by a “pattern of racketeering activity.” The bill has already been assailed by critics as a means to punish protestors and political speech.
State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said the bill is “simple in its desire to make sure that people who are committing these heinous acts are held accountable for their crimes.”
Prosecutor oversight: After a staggered start, the oversight committee meant to investigate complaints against Georgia prosecutors is moving forward. This week, a House committee approved new rules for the commission, which excludes provisions that the Georgia Supreme Court review the commission’s standards — which the court declined to do late last year.
The ongoing saga of the oversight body is in the spirit versus the letter of the commission. On paper, the oversight commission is meant to investigate complaints against elected district attorneys and solicitors, whose only check on their power is the ballot box. In spirit, those pushing the bill consistently cite Democratic DAs who they believe are failing victims of violent crime.
Here’s what the St. Marys legislator said, according to the Georgia Recorder:
“Do you think there’s a political angle to ensuring that citizens across the state who’ve been victims of violent crimes, have the prosecutor’s office to lean on and ensure that those crimes get prosecuted?” Republican Rep. Steve Sainz said.
Want to know more about how all this legislating goes down? Read The Current’s breakdown here.
Changes in Chatham DA sex crime prosecutions worry victims, attorneys
Survivors of sexual assault, attorneys and advocates fear lack of expertise and SVU at Chatham County DA’s office will impact prosecutions.
Controversial Chatham County DA to run for reelection
Chatham County’s district attorney, a progressive Georgia prosecutor, targeted by state Republicans says she is running for reelection in 2024
Private fire hydrants pose public danger in Hinesville
Nine hydrants, including devices that service Lyman Hall Elementary and Taylors Creek Elementary, are the responsibility of the organizations that own the property on which they are located – the Liberty County School System.
Development continues as Liberty County fire protection lags
Liberty County officials have pushed for warehouse development while its fire department lacks key equipment and safety standards. A historic home fire in November displayed the glaring deficiencies at the fire department.
How Georgia’s General Assembly writes law on guns, health care, crime and more
In 2024, the Georgia state Capitol session will follow many of the rules you learned in civics class. But don’t underestimate the power of lobbyists, party lines and budgeting.
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